Sparks flew between free-spirited law professor Arianne and sweet college basketball coach Amir the moment they first laid eyes on one another at a friend's Fourth of July cookout. Their instant connection was like something right out of a fairy-tale, and Arianne says she can't remember speaking to anyone but Amir that night. Just five months later, he professed his true love and popped the question over Thanksgiving dinner while surrounded by his entire family. On August 4, 2012, the lovebirds were married in a blissful beach ceremony in Miami. You're gonna love their photos—share the love!
“My makeup was done by my childhood friend Taneil Britton-Hohn, who's like a sister,” says Arianne. “She is a woman of amazing talent and a perfectionist. My trial run took about three hours.”
“We initially wanted to have the wedding in the Caribbean,” Arianne reveals. “However, August is not the best month for that because of the hurricane season. We didn’t want to lose the whole beach wedding element, so we decided Miami would be a great alternative location.”
With a little bling and a lot of bows, Arianne's pretty pumps were the perfect combination of class and sass.
“Jimonus of Jimonus & Co. in Orlando Florida did my hair,” say Arianne. “He is an amazing hair stylist and he has been a friend for the past 10 years. He doesn’t just ‘do your hair,’ he treats it. I’ve been referring people to him for years. I trust Jimonis and wanted my hair up and off my face since it was August in Miami.”
“When Amir proposed, I was in shock and yet so happy,” admits Arianne. “My heart was racing.” It was a Thanksgiving proposal to be remembered, and on that day she knew they both truly had so much to be thankful for in having found one another.
“I fell in love with my Kate Spade necklace the moment I saw it,” says Arianne. “I also wore a Tiffany charm bracelet, that was a gift from my husband, and matching Kate Spade earrings.”
Arianne gave her new husband an engraved Swiss Army watch as a wedding gift. How sweet!
“Once I put on the gown, I knew it was the one,” Arianne recalls. “ I was with my friends and even they agreed. My parents ran over and confirmed as well. We bought it the firsy day I saw it. It fit like a glove; it was simple and elegant, just the way I like things.”
“The hotel and beach was a real surprise for our guests,” Arianne recalls. “You would never imagine how amazing the other side of that resort building is when you first walk in. You really felt like you had left Miami and were on an island.”
“I knew Amir was the one for me early on in the relationship,” Arianne shares. “He is truly a blessing and everything that I ever prayed for in a mate.”
“I said yes because of the man that he is and the love that we have,” admits Arianne, who grinned from ear-to-ear on her wedding day. “He is one of the sweetest men I have ever met.”
Arianne’s bouquet was made up of ivory roses with accent crystals tied together with pretty satin ribbon. Each of her bridesmaids held a single ivory peony. “Although the peony was out of season, my florist, Blooming Designs and Events, was able to make it happen since I have always loved that flower so much,” says the happy bride.
The bridesmaids' gowns were also from popular bridal designer Amsale. “Once I read [Amsale's] story, I was hooked,” says the bride. “Check it out on Amsale.com. I wanted to help her out because every purchase counts. Not to mention, the dresses were fabulous! I wanted them to be long and flowing. They were elegant, yet beach-themed, and cool.”
Amir and his groomsman wore tailored grey suits designed by Donnie Wellz and Too Boot New York shoes.
“Our ceremony was outside on the beach, but not in the sand,” Arianne says. “I had to have fabulous heels, so sand was not going to work.” Arianne and Amir stood beneath a bamboo altar with sheer draping decorated with arrangements made from white hydrangeas, roses and orchids.
The aisle was lightly covered with white rose petals and every other ceremony seat was decorated with personalized programs and fans.
Arianne’s stepfather escorted her down the aisle while the sweet sounds of the traditional bridal march filled the air.
The groom’s proud father officiated their wedding ceremony, making the moment all the more dear to their hearts.
Arianne walked down the aisle holding an extra flower to pay tribute to her father, who passed away in August 2010. “We paid our respects to my father and to our grandparents who had passed on,” Arianne tells us. “We mentioned them in our programs too.”
“I boo-hoo cried!” says Arianne. “We wrote our own vows, and I cried through mine. I won’t put him on the spot, but he may have gotten a bit choked up too.” (Wink!)
“Looking into his eyes at the altar, it felt amazing to know that we were taking a vow under God and to know that that was going to be my mate for life,” Arianne says.
After participating in the unity sand ritual to unite the families, Arianne and Amir jumped the broom.
Amir and Arianne share a big romantic movie kiss against the beautiful backdrop of the waves of the mighty Atlantic Ocean and soft white sand beach. Is this a movie or a wedding? That view is stunning!
Ninety-two guests were on hand to help Arianne and Amir celebrate their new union.
Arianne wore her mom’s veil to count as her “something old,” blue eye shadow for her “something blue” and her mother-in-law’s diamond earring for her “something borrowed.” Once she slipped into her new Priscilla of Boston gown, she had all of her bases covered.
“He is by no means perfect; no one is,” says Arianne. “I’m not! However, I truly believe that he is perfect for me.”
It wound up being a perfect day for a wedding. Their ceremony began at six thirty sharp and the weather was overcast with a cool breeze, so their guests didn’t melt away in the Miami heat. “The weather was very comfortable for an August evening in Miami,” Arianne says.
Arianne and Amir stuck to a very reasonable budget for their big day. “We wanted a fabulous wedding, but we knew that we had to live afterward,” she says.
“I am happy to say that the wedding was perfect,” says the beaming bride as she stands by her proud groom. They pulled off their beach chic wedding style effortlessly, and every detail photographed perfectly.
“I truly enjoyed the entire weekend,” Arianne admits. “It was fun from the moment I arrived to the moment that we left for our honeymoon. I am so thankful for the entire experience and feel very blessed.”
Arianne and Amir kept things simple with their reception décor so it wouldn't distract from all of the natural beauty that surrounded them. They also used small details like pairing candles and glass to create a very romantic, cozy feel.
Introducing the new Mr. and Mrs. Rahim. What a lovely couple.
Arianne hired a day-of-planner to help her pull all the big details together at the last minute. “ I recommend brides hire a day of planner to assist so that family can just enjoy the day with you and not worry about all of the little details,” says the bride.
For their first dance, Arianne and Amir danced to the romantic sounds of Anthony Hamilton’s lovey-dovey hit “The Point of it All.”
The couple chose an elegant ivory cake design to compliment their chic reception style. The three-tier cake featured a lovely custom ribbon and yummy red-velvet cake inside – the bride’s favorite.
“We divided the responsibilities of planning,” Arianne says. “While he was very helpful and handled the photographer, DJ and guy's attire beautifully, my sister-in-law Noel was in the trenches with me when it came time to find a venue. I was a bit picky.”
“My wedding dresses were Priscilla of Boston times two,” says Arianne. “I always loved the designer and it just so happened that they went out of business right before my wedding . Therefore, I was able to snag a wedding gown and a reception dress, which I cut into a cocktail dress.”
Amir and Arianne chose to hold their reception party inside the hotel with an action station format. Although each guest was given an assigned seat to enjoy their meal, the stations encouraged them to mingle with one another and get out there and dance, just as the happy couple wanted them to.
“We took our photos the day of the wedding and in a morning after session,” says Arianne. “The next day the sun was blazing, so the water looked absolutely fabulous.”
Arianne says Amir’s heart is what she loves most about her new husband. She didn’t think she’d find true love when she did. “That is why I know that he is a blessing and we are meant to be,” she adds. “ The timing was truly divine.”
Were you as wowed by Arianne and Amir's fabulous Miami beach wedding style as we were? Tell us what you loved most and leave some comment love for the newlyweds below. See more photos from their wedding at The Bride's Cafe, now. Want to see your big day featured in Bridal Bliss? Email us a sample of your wedding photos and tell us your story.
